Using a PTO spreader to overseed/seed

[Bloemie]

Has anyone here used a PTO spreader to seed cover crops and over seed into existing pasture. I am looking to "introduce" some new seeds into an older pasture and dont want to rip up the old grass and considering using it for a small cover crop spreader as well on plowed soil. I dont spread much ferts so buying it for ferts alone is not worth it.

 

[5030]

When I overseed my hay fields, I use a large capacity hand spreader that straps on my chest with a hand crank. The walking does me good and alfalfa see is very fine so the chest mounted hand spreader with it's adjustable small opening works well for me.

 

[Smokeydog]

Soil conservation recommendations a light disking or chain drag with barbs down to breakup thatch and improve seed to ground contact for best germination. CO-OP rents seed drills. Like everything seed has gotten expensive.

Soil tests, advise on seeding and sometimes matching funds are available thru local soil conservation. Lime on pastured ground really makes the grass grow.

 

[Birdhunter1]

I have seeded cover crops, hay fields, pastures, erosion control waterways, spread fertilizer and spread sand on parcels of 1 acre to 20 acres on hillsides and flat as a pancake terrain with a pto seed spreader. IF overseeding I would do it while the ground has some moisture and before a rain, preferably a lighter rain and not a gully washer.

Never hurts to scratch the dirt a little before seeding and after to cover seed in a little. I have overseeded many time and find its better to increase your seed amount 20% over what you would on drilling or working on tilled dirt.

 

[5030]

All depends on the relative PH.

 

[Birdhunter1]

I've also spread lime with a pto spreader, which will change your Ph level.

 

[duffer]

Ditto on knowing your pH level. You're wasting money if it's not 6.5-7.5 Same goes with fertilizer.

 

[Bloemie]

I had a full soil test, so I know PH etc, and why I know I am good on ferts. Problem is drainage and large particles for better tilth. So I was thinking of over sowing some radish and clover etc and mulch mow. I am reluctant to plow it all in.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

We plant winter grass each year.

 

[koshari]

Has anyone here used a PTO spreader to seed cover crops and over seed into existing pasture. I am looking to "introduce" some new seeds into an older pasture and dont want to rip up the old grass and considering using it for a small cover crop spreader as well on plowed soil. I dont spread much ferts so buying it for ferts alone is not worth it.

direct drilling into existing pature is getting popular here, google regenerative pasture practices, the seeds are more likely to germinate when drilled into furrows rather than broadcasted, disc seeders do a good job of drilling seeds with minimal disruption to the existing coverage, we just had 8 hectares sown in this method recently and other than the light green lines where the new seed is coming up its difficult to see where the drill went.

last season i harrowed , broadcasted then harrowed again and the strike rate was pretty poor hence why we did it different this year.